SMEs from India and Pakistan exploring trade opportunities

Lahore, Feb 11 (KNN) The slow economic growth in India and Pakistan notwithstanding, the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are upbeat on exploring trade opportunities in each other's countries.

A fifteen member delegation from Federation of Indian Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (FISME) is currently in Lahore meeting their counterparts through the Lahore Chamber of Commerce.

“The members of the delegation are completely floored by the warm hospitality of Pakistanis,” said Mukesh Kalra a FISME official accompanying the delegation.

Echoing similar sentiments, entrepreneur from Faridabad A K Nehra, who is also with the delegation said that after visiting Lahore and the industrial areas run by Punjab Industrial Estates (PIE) his perception has changed dramatically about the neighbouring country.

In addition, the Indian delegation found the road infrastructure pretty impressive.

Visiting on the invite of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI), FISME delegation is scheduled to hold a discussion with Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the trade opportunities in Karachi on Wednesday.

As a follow up, a trade delegation from Pakistani SMEs will visit India in March this year.

The exchange of delegation is being supported by GIZ -German International Cooperation Agency to foster greater economic integration in the SAARC region through regular interaction and exchange of stakeholders.

A study is also being conducted by FISME on the non-tariff barriers and other impediments faced by exporters from both the countries while trading goods with each other.

FISME delegation is visiting Pakistan just days before the grand opening of the India Show in Lahore expected to be inaugurated by Commerce Minister Anand Sharma.